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Did you take the right route?
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Posted on Apr 21 2008
April 11 was a little different for some 807 islanders, but ask any one of them and they’ll tell you they were proud to have gone the “right route.”
Right route organizer Kathy Yuknavage said the turnout was fantastic. More than 21 organizations on Saipan, 16 on Tinian and 15 on Rota walked, biked, ran, or carpool to work (or school). Rota had the biggest draw with 324 participants, followed by Saipan with 246 and of course Tinian with 237.
“It sure brings back memories when we used to walk everywhere,” said Maria H. Aguon, right route coordinator for NMC-Tinian. Aguon said the NMC-Tinian goal is to continue walking/carpool to work every Friday.
The “right route” event aimed to reduce carbon footprint.
Carbon footprint is the direct effect that one’s actions and lifestyle have on the environment in terms of CO2 emissions. One of the biggest contributors to one’s personal “footprint” are travel needs and electricity demands.
Yuknavage said that, “by taking small steps, like walking or carpooling to school or work on a regular basis, we can help reduce global warming and climate change.”
Walking, biking and carpooling have other benefits as well. “In the spirit of right route, my wife Tammy and I started carpooling at the beginning of March. Not only do I get to enjoy her company for an extra 40 minutes a day, but in the month of March we saved almost $100 dollars in gas. It does have its inconveniences but the benefits to us and the environment definitely outweigh them,” said Mark James, coordinator for Xerox. He added he and his wife will continue to carpool with a goal of at least four days a week.
If you know any of right route participants, give them a pat on the back and consider joining them at the next event. Better yet, start a monthly or weekly right route activity. Carpooling allows you to spend quality time with your family and save a little gas, too. Or save even more money by biking, walking, or running to work. Together, we can all take small steps to reduce carbon footprint.
All participants of the right route received a blue pair of “walk it, don’t drive it’ zories. [B][I](CoCo)
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